Best egg laying breed that is docile suitable for hot climates?

valren

Hatching
6 Years
Jun 16, 2013
7
0
7
We live in Austin, Tx and summers here get pretty brutal. We have had buff orpingtons and it seems like they would just quit laying once it got hotter out.

I would love to keep orpingtons again but also would love to have fresh eggs throughout the hotter months.

Is there something that I must have been doing wrong for them to quit laying? Or should I have an alternative breed to go with the orpingtons to lay when it's hot out?

We have a fairly large yard and at least half is shaded throughout the majority of the day.

We were feeding Coyote Creek Feed - http://coyotecreekfarm.org/mill/
They were free range during the day, cooped at night
Always access to fresh water

Any insight/input greatly appreciated!!
 
I ♡ my naked necks. They do well here in our cold weather and from what I hear excel in hot climates Lol! :-D
They lay very well and make good meat birds also. Once I got past the idea they are ugly alien creatures and actually got them I found out the chicks are amazingly cute and turn out to be the coolest looking chickens I have.
Funny telling people that know nothing about them that they are baby ostriches also :-D
 
We live in Austin, Tx and summers here get pretty brutal. We have had buff orpingtons and it seems like they would just quit laying once it got hotter out.

I would love to keep orpingtons again but also would love to have fresh eggs throughout the hotter months.

Is there something that I must have been doing wrong for them to quit laying? Or should I have an alternative breed to go with the orpingtons to lay when it's hot out?

We have a fairly large yard and at least half is shaded throughout the majority of the day.

We were feeding Coyote Creek Feed - http://coyotecreekfarm.org/mill/
They were free range during the day, cooped at night
Always access to fresh water

Any insight/input greatly appreciated!!
If you are not into showing and want the most eggs for the investment why not go with a hybrid layer? The single combs work as radiators to dissipate heat and lean birds shouldn't generate as much heat as a heavy breed.
 
Can't speak for everyone but my Plymouth rocks seem to lay well through the hot humid Alabama summers.  I have also had luck with the aracaunas.   


How are they each temperament wise? Part of the reason I loved the orpingtons is they were so incredibly friendly :)
 
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Look at Australorps. Sounds counter-intuitive, to have a black bird in the heat, but they were bred to withstand Australia's desert climate. Fantastic layers and have a great reputation as friendly and docile.

Easter eggers are good also, and I've heard good things about naked necks/turkens.

Your Mediterranean breeds like Leghorns are very heat tolerant, but have reputations for being flighty and stand-offish. Someone forgot to tell my current white Leghorns, though, they're constantly underfoot
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I second the Black Australorps....best layer out there in stressful weather conditions, IMO. They are sweet, quirky, feed thrifty, great foragers, rarely go broody, lay like machines for many a long year, great winter layers, excellent range survival...I've never had a BA taken by a predator... and are hardy birds.
 
How are they each temperament wise? Part of the reason I loved the orpingtons is they were so incredibly friendly
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Mine have been a good personality, not flighty nor aggressive, pretty agreeable. Their personality is much like my buff orphington's personality. To me the Rocks are just a good foundation "workhorse" of the chicken world. I started with them when my children were very little and never had a problem with child/ chicken interactions. I have just recently acquired the Austrolorps. They seem good as well although mine tend to fly over the fence and free range (of course the fence is not very high but high enough to keep the Dorkings in. All are good choices and seem to handle the heat and children well.
 

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